Photo Credit: Tristan Bounds/Twitter

New Michigan Man: OT Tristan Bounds Commits to Michigan

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

The coaching staff has been looking to add a second pure tackle to this class and Ed Warinner just got one of the top guys on his board as 2021 Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) OT Tristan Bounds has committed to Michigan.

Commitment

Scouting Report

Bounds is a mountain of a prospect before his senior season has even begun. Though a bit slender for the position, but at his height, he has that former tight end frame that can add plenty of weight and still allow him to keep his foot speed. He shows good drive, strong hands and a bit of a nasty streak. With the size and some decent athleticism, he dominates his high school opponents. But that size can also hurt him a bit as he plays a little high and stiff. Nothing that Ed Warinner can’t help fix. The measurables are there but he’ll need to add more weight and strength to compete in the Big Ten. Give him a couple of years and he should be competing for a starting job at either end of the line.

Recruitment

The three-star tackle was offered in late January following the junior film evaluations and starting rising up the board throughout the spring. A 6’8” three-star tackle out of Massachusetts was pretty much a perfect fit for the Michigan coaching staff. So even with the Coronavirus pandemic shutting recruiting visits down, the staff was able to separate themselves from the competition. Some thought he may stay on the east coast but it was reportedly Michigan and Notre Dame in the end.

Thanks to the connection with Ed Warinner, the opportunities at Michigan both on and off the field, and a family road trip to Ann Arbor during the pandemic, the Wolverines were the clear cut choice in the end.

  • Height: 6’8”
  • Weight: 285lbs
  • Hometown (School): Wallingford, CT (Choate Rosemary Hall)
  • Notable Offers: Notre Dame, Texas, Cal, Virginia, Boston College
  • Rankings: Rivals (3*) – 247Sports (3*, #39 OT) – ESPN (3*, #51 OT)
  • Composite Ranking: Three-star, #662 Overall, #56 OT, #3 in Connecticut

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class

Bounds is the 17th overall commitment, the 4th offensive line commit, and the 2nd get out of Connecticut. If the staff can get the top targets on their O-Line board, six looks likely. OG Drew Kendall and OL Rocco Spindler are the best bets at the moment though there has been some noise around elite tackles OT JC Latham and OT Nolan Rucci, though both continue to be long shots.

Photo Credit: Tristan Bounds/Twitter

Garrett Fishaw
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